Meet Glo Brown | Glo Brown | Filmmaker, Writer, Director & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Glo Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Glo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business came from wanting real ownership, creatively and long-term, for myself and my family. I’m building with legacy in mind and wanted to create something that lives beyond me, not just for now but for the future.

As a filmmaker, I wanted control over my stories. I didn’t want to wait for permission or try to fit my ideas into spaces that weren’t built for voices like mine. Creating my own business gave me the freedom to tell grounded, honest stories while learning every part of the process.

Community is a big part of why I do this. I want to build my own table so I can bring other people with me, creating opportunities, access, and eventually jobs – while being transparent about the process so people can see what’s possible, even when you start from the ground up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I want the world to know that my art is inspired by the culture. I create films that speak to the culture and help shift the way people see us and the way we see ourselves. My goal is to move culture through storytelling, especially for people whose lives aren’t always glamorized. I want my work to feel honest, grounded, and contemporary.

What sets me apart is that I identify deeply with the characters and stories I’m telling. I understand the culture because I’ve lived it or I’m closely connected to people who have. These aren’t stories I’m observing from the outside — they come from real experiences, real people, and real emotions.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. I started with passion and vision, posting on Backstage and building a cast and crew that I wasn’t fully prepared to manage yet. I created a writers room and developed a full web series, but because I was still learning, the project ultimately fell apart in post-production. I made the decision not to put something out that I wasn’t proud of. After that, I had to start over with a much smaller team — myself, my Director of Photography, and my cousin, who was a first-time production designer and assistant director. That reset taught me patience, growth, and the importance of trusting the process.

Along the way, I became part of Women of Color Filmmakers, where I was selected into three film challenges. Through that experience, I won a jury award, an audience choice award, and received a grant. Being part of that community helped me build confidence, sharpen my voice, and truly understand storytelling and filmmaking, which ultimately gave me the confidence to write and move forward with a web series.

What I’m most proud of right now is finishing my web series, It’s a Wrap. The series follows an up-and-coming rapper who’s grinding to chase his dreams while being pulled in different directions — love, temptation, going legit, and the streets constantly calling him back. It’s a story rooted in ambition, pressure, and the choices people make when they’re trying to change their circumstances.

I’m also really excited about the podcast that grew out of that process. Two of the actors from the series, who also supported the vision in meaningful ways — from development to helping find talent — and I created a podcast called Level by Level. It became a space to expand the world of the show, share behind-the-scenes conversations, talk openly about our creative journeys and the culture, and bring on other upcoming creators to join us in conversation and talk about their journey.

I didn’t get here alone. My journey reflects my faith, my team, my collaborators, and my family, the people who believed in me even when things weren’t clear. Along the way, I’ve learned to trust myself, create my own opportunities, and stop waiting for permission to sit at someone else’s table. Every level requires a new version of you, and I’m committed to continuing to grow while staying true to who I am.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting LA, I’d want them to experience the city the way I do, culture, food, and real energy.

We’d definitely hit the beach early in the week, whether it’s just walking, talking, or sitting by the water to reset. I’d take them to Leimert Park to feel the culture, the music, the art, the people, and the history. That’s one of those places that really represents the heart of LA. If they were visiting at the right time of year, we’d also hit Taste of Soul, because that’s one of the best ways to experience the community all in one place.

Food-wise, we’d keep it simple but meaningful. Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen for the food and the vibe — plus I really respect what Issa Rae has built and how she’s created space for Black creatives. Marathon Burger because the food hits and I genuinely respect what Nipsey stood for and what he built, and tacos throughout the week because that’s just a must when you’re showing someone LA, no question.

By the end of the trip, I’d want them to feel like they didn’t just visit LA — they experienced the culture, the creativity, and the energy that makes the city what it is. That’s always the goal.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to the people who have truly held me down throughout this journey — starting with my cast and crew. Many of them have been with me from the very beginning, including the same actors I’ve worked with across multiple projects, as well as my Director of Photography and my cousin, who’s been with me from the start. Their consistency, trust, and belief in my vision have made it possible for me to keep creating and growing, and I don’t take that loyalty lightly.

Above all, I give thanks to God. Without Him, none of this would be possible. Every opportunity, every connection, every moment of clarity has been by His will and His timing. Even when the path wasn’t clear to me, He was already making a way. I truly believe this journey is unfolding the way it is because I’m walking in purpose, not just ambition.

I also want to give a special shoutout to my mentor, Landi Maduro, and the Women of Color Filmmakers community. Through their challenges, workshops, and writers circles, they created a real space for emerging creators like myself to learn the craft, sharpen our skills, and build confidence. Being accepted into their challenges gave me access to meaningful mentorship, support, and real opportunities to develop my work. That environment pushed me to grow creatively and helped me hone my voice as a filmmaker. I was fortunate to win two out of the three challenges I participated in, which was incredibly affirming at pivotal moments in my journey and reinforced that I was on the right path.

Last but not least, my husband and my family. Your support and belief in me — especially during the times when the vision was still forming and the outcome was uncertain — has meant everything. Having people who genuinely believe in you, pray for you, and stand by you makes all the difference.

This journey has been built on faith, community, and consistency, and I’m grateful for every person who has played a part in it.

Instagram: @gbr.own, @itsawrapseries @levelbylevelpodcast

Linkedin: Glo Brown

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gloriabrown4407?si=y_r5mHAi6gP5vLuI

Other: @dreamersdreamllc1588 (Level By Level Podcast)

Image Credits
I have permission for the images.